Polls: Americans ‘overwhelmingly’ endorse full-body scanners

There may be an uproar brewing over the Transportation Security Administration’s use of full-body scanners, but it seems that most Americans claim not to have a problem with their use at the nation’s airports.

At least that’s according to CBS, which reports that a CBS News poll out Monday shows “Americans overwhelmingly approve of the use of full-body digital x-ray machines … .”

When asked if U.S. airports should use full-body scanners at security checkpoints, 81% of those surveyed in the CBS poll said yes. Only 15% said no. CBS says there’s a 3-percentage-point margin of error for the poll.

CBS writes “although some civil rights groups allege that they represent an unconstitutional invasion of privacy, Americans overwhelmingly agree that airports should use the digital x-ray machines to electronically screen passengers in airport security lines, according to the new poll.”

CBS adds that “a majority of both men and women, Americans of all age groups, and Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike” all supported the idea of full-body scanners.

The sentiment of those surveyed for the CBS poll appeared to be in line with separate poll conducted by TripAdvisor.com. Though unscientific, that poll found 76% of those who voted to be more comfortable with a full-body scan if than a full-body pat-down.

However, those preferring the scans does appear to be trending down. TripAdvisor says that when it asked the same question in January, 88% of travelers said they would be more comfortable with a full-body scan.

Elsewhere, CBS also broached the subject of ethnic or racial profiling as a method of airport security. According to the CBS poll, 52% said that would be unacceptable while 37% said it would be justified.

Poll supposedly shows “Overwhelming Support” for use of body scanners…. NOT! More people would rather stay home or opt out, rather than be subjected to dangerous x-rays. ALL x-rays are dangerous… it’s all a matter of risk/reward.